A new study published in JAMA Health Forum, co-authored in part by SOGC members Dr. Elizabeth Nethery, Dr. Laura Schummers, Dr. Amanda Black and Dr. Wendy Norman, provides compelling new evidence that universal contraception coverage works.
The research found that British Columbia's decision to provide no-cost prescription birth control reduced patient spending on contraceptives by 83 per cent, with the greatest financial benefits seen among people in their 20s. Younger women are often uninsured or underinsured, which makes them most likely to face cost barriers to accessing contraception.
The study also found increased use of highly effective long-acting contraceptive methods while overall system costs remained stable.
These findings reinforce what the SOGC has long advocated: access to contraception should never depend on a person's postal code, employment status or ability to pay.
Read more about the study here: https://news.ubc.ca/2026/06/free-contraception-policy-reduces-patient-costs-in-b-c/